The U.S. Senate passed a measure Thursday aimed at ending the air traffic controller furloughs that caused widespread delays this week.
The bipartisan agreement would give transportation department budget planners new flexibility for dealing with forced spending cuts. It would also let authorities protect about 150 control towers slated for closure.
The furloughs and closures are a result of the sequester that took affect in March.
The house is expected to take up the bill Friday.